Abstract: A taggant security system for preventing the counterfeiting of goods associated with a paper product is provided. The taggant security system includes a paper product coating located on a paper product. The paper product coating is preferably one which is commonly used in the paper making industry. The taggant security system further includes one or more taggants incorporated within said paper product coating for authenticating said paper product. In preferred embodiments, the paper product coating is either a clay or starch coating. In addition, in preferred embodiments, the paper product is either a single or multi-ply packaging board or a label stock.